Escape



(No Model.)

L. D. B. SHAW,

HR; ESCAPE. V v

" Patented July 12,1881.

I WENIDR zfil/i y w- .h l l -F IHI I I I I! I iii m m 1 Ba UH WITNE55E5- UN TED STATES PATENT OFFmE.

LORENZO D. B. SHAW, OF REVERE, ASSIGNOR TO THE SHAW FIRE ESCAPE LADDER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASS.

FIRE-ESQAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters; Patent No. 244,323, dated July 12, 1881.

Application filed January 22, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LORENZO D.'B. SHAW, of Revere, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a means for the escape of persons from a burning building by an apparatus mounted on a carriage so as to be readily transported, and which may be elevated to any desired height and set at an angle toward the buildingwithout being supported thereby.

The invention consists of a series of telescopic tubes supported upon a table or platform journaled in aframe, so as to admit of its being tilted at the front and rear ends, and which frame is also journaled at its ends in the carriage, at right angles to those of the said table, similar to the mariners'compass bearings, so that the telescopic column can be inclined in any direction. The elevation of the telescopic tubes is effected by means of a rack-gear made in sections hinged together, so a as to enable them to be wound upon a cylinder or drum. The said rack is attached at one end to the lower end of the upper telescopic tube, so that by turning a pinion which engages with the rack the several tubes will, in turn, be elevated to any required height.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represents a side elevation of my invention with the tubes and ladder extended. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the table and frame and their supporting-carriage. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the apparatus withthe tubes and ladder in a closed position, the lower tube being partially broken away to show the rack. Fig. 4 shows the drum on which the rack is wound, and the screw-shaft. Fig. 5 shows the method of connecting the ends of the several sections of tubes. Fig. 6 shows the arms which are connected to the upper ends of each tubular section. Fig. 7 is a modification of the means for raising the telescopic column.

A A represent a carriage supported upon axles of wheels B B, and consisting, mainly, of a square frame, the lower portion of which is considerably below the level of the'axles.

F representsa frame which is journaled to of the rack from overlapping each other.

the carriage A at G G, so as so admit ofa tilt-. ing motion from side to side D is a table or platform separated from the frame F, and supported at the sides in journals E E invframe F, so as to admit of a tilting movement from end to end.

To the top of the table D is attached the lower section, 0, of the telescopic column 0 0 GI! GIII tions as required. They are designed to be made of thin-drawn brass tubing, which combines great strength with lightness. The sections of tubing are elevated in the following manner:

To the lower end of the uppper tube, 0', is firmly attached a rack, .J, which is made in sections hinged together, as shown at 3', Figs. 1 and 5. These sections, when straightened out, constitute a column of sufficient rigidity to sustain theseveral sections when extended to their entire height. The lower end of the sectional rack J is attached to a cylinder or drum, K, upon which it is wound as the tubes are lowered. The drum K is mounted on a screw-shaft, L, for the purpose of moving the drum sidewise, so as to prevent the sectii ins he screw-shaft L is supported on hangers 'M M attached to the platform D. The rack J engages with a pinion, N, on the same shaft with a face-wheel, O, which latter engages with a pinion, P, to which motion is imparted by means of a crank, 19. The drum K is rotated by means of a belt, y, Fig. 1, passing over a pulley on the shaft of pinion P.

To the center, at one side of the table D, and on the bearing E of the same, is attached a segmental gear, R, which engages with a pinion, S, properly journaled' to the main carriage A, so that by turning the said pinion by means of a crank the table D will tilt forward to any desired inclination, carryin g with it the telescopic column of tubes, for the purpose of directing the said column toward a building.

Extending downward from the front por tion of the frame F is an arm or plate, T, having at its lower end a swivel-nut, through which passesa screw, U, as shown in Fig. 2. At the end of screw U is a crank, V, by which the screw is turned, by which means the frame There may be as many of these sec- F is tilted so as to bring the telescopic column to any desired inclination sidewise.

In order to prevent the apparatus, when extended, from overcoming the center of gravity, and to insure a firm support to the carriage, I arrange at the lower sides of the latter the doubly hinged and folding braces H H. Each brace consists of two portions, the one portion being folded over the other when not in use. When in use they are opened outward, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. These braces are designed to extend from the sides at each of the four corners. At the outer end of each extended brace is a screw, I, for adjusting the same to the inequalities of the ground. The arms or braces H are strengthened by the supporting-braces H H, as shown in Fig. 1, hinged to the sides of the carriage.

The'ends of the sectional tubes are connected together, as shown in Fig. 5. A ring is attached to the upper end of each tube, against which the rim on the lower end of the next upper tube abuts when the tubes are drawn out.

To the upper end of each telescopic tube G,

C, &c., is attached a hub, Z, having arms X extending outward, as shown in Fig. 6. To the ends of the arms X are attached cords or ropes W, extending from one to the other throughout the series of arms, and to the said cords are secured rungs c c, &c. The rungs may consist of wooden hoops or metal rings, and are arranged sufificiently near each other to answer the purpose of a ladder, so that a person may climb and descend the same on the inside or outside, as upon a ladder.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a modification of the means for raising and lowering the telescopic sections 0, 0, 8w. Instead of a section-rack, J, I employ a metal tube of small diameter, having projections or teeth on opposite sides, as showuin section at 4. These teeth en gage with rods or bars attached to disks or side pieces, 3 3, by turning which latter the tubing is elevated. The said tubing is made in sections 1 2, hinged together, as shown, so as to enable them to be wound upon a drum, as in the case of the sectional rack J.

When required for use the apparatus is stationed opposite, or nearly so, to the building in danger. The braces being thrown out and adjusted, the telescopic sections are elevated, and by means of the tilting frame and platform the upper part of the circular ladder is directed toward any desired window of the building. Persons escaping from the window can get into the upper opening and descend safely through the interior of the circular ladder. There is very little, if any, danger of falliu g, and women and children can descend with safety and ease.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. A cylindrical ladder composed of rungs substantially circular, connected by suitable upright connections, as set forth.

2. A collapsible cylindrical ladder composed of run gs substantially circular, and flexible connections, as set forth.

3. A collapsible and extensible cylindrical ladder composed of rungs substantially circular, flexible connections, rigid radial arms, and an interior supporting-column, as set forth.

4. The combination of the telescopic tubing or support 0 G O C, the supporting-arms X, and circular ladder W 0, as and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination of the cylindrical telescopic tubing 0 O O 0', the circular ladder carried and supported thereby, and the extensible supporting-column J, attached at its upper end to the tube 0', the movable drum R, and gear N, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with the extensible column, the tilting table and tilting frame, and the mechanism, substantially as set forth, for extending and retracting said column, of an extensible ladder carried by said column, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LORENZO D. B. SHAW.

Witnesses:

J os. H. ADAMS, JOHN G. STEWART, J12. 

